Indeed the Colonists had the conviction that a plot to murder two of their most active leaders was laid by the French half-breeds whose sympathies were all with the "Nor'-Westers." The climax of feeling was reached when Governor Macdonell, who was with the Colonists at Pembina, issued a most unwise proclamation, which to the Nor'-Westers seemed an illegality if not an impertinence.

Dependent as the settlers were on the older Company for supplies and assistance this was nothing less than an act of madness.
By proclamation, on the 8th of January, 1814, Macdonell forbade any traders of "The Honorable Hudson's Bay Company, the North-West Company, or any individual or unconnected trader whatever to take out any provisions, either of flesh, grain or vegetables, from the country." The embargo was complete.
In Governor Macdonell's defence it should be said that he offered to pay by British bills for all the provisions taken, at customary rates.
This assertion of sovereignty set on fire the Nor'-Westers and their sympathizers.
Not only was this extreme step taken, but John Spencer, a subordinate of Macdonell was sent west to Brandon House, found an entrance into the North-West Fort at the mouth of the Souris River and seizing some twenty-five tons of dry buffalo meat took it into his own fort.
It is quite true that Governor Macdonell expected new bands of Colonists and thus justified himself in his seizure.

It is to the credit of the Nor'-Westers that they restrained themselves and avoided a general conflict, but evidently they only bided their time.
No breach of the peace occurred however, before the return of the Colonists from Pembina to the Colony Houses.

The settlers occupied their homes in the best of spirits, and began to sow their wheat, but they were still greatly checked by the absence of the commonest implements of farm culture.

Had Lord Selkirk known the true state of things on Red River, he would never have continued to send new bands of Colonists so imperfectly fitted for dealing with the cultivation of the soil.
The founder's mind had been fired, both by the opposition of Sir Alexander Mackenzie and by the successful arrival of his two bands of Colonists at the Red River, to make greater efforts than ever.
This he did by sending out a third party in all nearly a hundred strong, under the leadership of a very capable man--Archibald Macdonald.